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It was huge for us to win back-to-back state titles and we talked all year about how it was going to be a tough battle getting there .
“ This year , we were fighting for ourselves and the majority of the team ,” said Carver , a setter . “ We wanted that extra shot to be with each other . It was huge for us to win back-to-back state titles and we talked all year about how it was going to be a tough battle getting there . We wanted to make a statement and we fought for each other , and it was a huge deal to all of us .”
The Pioneers completed their three-peat in 2015 with another sweep , this time 25-20 , 25-15 , 25-16 over Yorktown .
“ We have all wanted to be part of Providence volleyball since we were little ,” Rodewig said . “ I think we wanted to follow in all of their footsteps and I think we did that .”
CONTINUING A LEGACY The Providence program is no stranger to state championships . This was the fifth title , in 11 seasons , for the Pioneers .
Providence ’ s first big trophy came in 2013 in 2A . The Pioneers swept the Hammond Bishop Noll Warriors — 25-18 , 25-15 , 25-20 — in three sets to finish 36-4 .
Providence went back to Worthen Arena in 2014 and swept the Southwood Knights — 25-17 , 25-14 , 25-18 — for a second straight state sweep to finish 33-3 .
CONSTANT ‘ MOTHER FIGURE ’ Terri Purichia , who has coached at Providence for 25 years , has been the constant through all of the Pioneers success .
After the latest state title , Purichia moved into fourthplace in state history for the most championships by a coach .
Lilly Tappel remembers Coach Purichia being part of her life when she was in preschool at St . Mary ’ s in New Albany . Tappel and Wagner each started playing volleyball when they were in kindergarten .
PROVIDENCE SENIOR REESE CARVER SETS THE BALL DURING THE PIONEERS ’ 3-1 VICTORY OVER BELLMONT IN THE CLASS 3A STATE FINAL AT BALL STATE UNIVERSITY ’ S WORTHEN ARENA IN MUNCIE ON NOV . 4 .
PROVIDENCE SENIOR LILLY TAPPEL FIRES A SPIKE PAST BELLMONT ’ S JACKIE SUTTER DURING THE PIONEERS ’ 3-1 VICTORY OVER THE BRAVES IN THE CLASS 3A STATE FINAL AT BALL STATE UNIVERSITY ’ S WORTHEN ARENA IN MUNCIE ON NOV . 4 . TAPPEL TALLIED A DOUBLE- DOUBLE ( 14 KILLS , 13 DIGS ) IN THE WIN .
16 PROVIDENCE PIONEERS | VOLLEYBALL | IHSAA CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPS 2023 NEWS AND TRIBUNE